Conversation with my Gynecologist after my Third Miscarriage
a macro dose of vitamin D, Zyrtec at night for allergies.
So—uh, [deadname], what brings you in today? I’m here because I had an abortion scheduled at Planned Parenthood, but I had my phone call appointment with their doctor & she told me if I have fever or pain or bleeding to go in so I did. I was seen last week in Magee’s Women Hospital’s Emergency room, they told me to follow up with my OBGYN.
How many sexual partners do you have? Three. Are they men, women, or both? Both.
Your OBGYN? Have you seen me before?
Have you been pregnant before? You’ve been my doctor for three years—
This is my third miscarriage in the last six months.
—oh, yes, that’s right. Tell me, when you went in, why did you go to Magee UPMC, instead of with us at West Penn AHN?
Third? Why is this the first time you’re seeing me about this? Did you use protection, are you trying to conceive? I told my partner to use a condom but they didn’t. I told them to pull out but they didn’t— I’ve seen you before about this. I’m not trying to conceive, no.
West Penn was too far, I was in Oakland when I bled through my favorite baby blue jeans when my fever spiked, I was doubled over in the bathroom of Noodles & Co. I didn’t want to pay for the ambulance fee. I didn’t want to pay an Uber driver the fee to clean my miscarriage blood off their back seat. I figured you’d still be able to pull up my records because you had me sign a form last time.
No? I see here on your chart that you stopped taking Tri-Sprintec early last summer, then your PCP prescribed it again around Xmas time. When did you see me?
Last time? Let me pull up your chart. Let’s just go over some things: what medications are you taking? A multivitamin with iron,
126
I called the office early last summer— the six-month script you wrote me expired the receptionist said you refused to re-prescribe without seeing me first. I explained I’d be out of state for several months and I wouldn’t be available to come in until fall. I begged her
